Herbs for Today's Astrological Anxiety — Five Ways to Meet a Difficult Sky

Introduction to Rooted in the Stars and Current Transits

aquarius · leo · scorpio

Ashley Marie Ellen Botts introduces the "Rooted in the Stars" segment, connecting astrological events with herbal wisdom. She details the current sky conditions, specifically the Mars-Pluto opposition and a T-square involving Venus, Mercury, and Pluto in Scorpio/Aquarius that will last until mid-October. The episode outlines five tips to manage the resulting "astrological anxiety" by reframing challenging transits as beneficial growth opportunities rather than malefic threats.

• Current astrological events include Mars in Leo opposing Pluto in Aquarius, and Venus stationing in Scorpio forming a T-square with Mercury and Pluto.
• The T-square is described as a major 2026 event lasting until mid-October, stirring themes of deep desires, unconscious material, and relationships.
• "Astrological anxiety" is defined as the fear of a malefic force causing harm, stemming from viewing astrology as a predictive tool for bad events.
• The creator advocates reframing anxiety as a signal of the nervous system's wisdom, indicating that a "soul's curriculum" or lesson is approaching.
• Challenging transits are presented as benefic forces that facilitate growth, compassion, and self-awareness through hardship.
• Upcoming content includes a 2027 retreat in Minnesota covering divination, nature, and plant spirit medicine.

Grounding, Surrender, and Offerings

leo

This section begins with a guided breathing exercise to ground the listener before introducing five methods for handling difficult astrological transits. The first method, surrender, is defined as accepting what cannot be changed, illustrated through the Serenity Prayer and the concept of releasing control. The second method, making an offering, involves acts of reciprocity with the Earth or community, such as giving milk to trees or donating to organizations, to shift the body's state from fear to generosity.

• The body is biologically tuned to the cosmos and environment, requiring listeners to interpret physical cues for navigation.
• A grounding exercise is performed using hand placement on the heart and navel with rhythmic breathing.
• Surrender is described as opening to something greater without being passive, distinct from bad hygiene or giving up.
• The Serenity Prayer is used as a framework for surrender: accepting the unchangeable, changing the changeable, and knowing the difference.
• Anxiety during transits often stems from the expectation of controlling things that are out of one's reach.
• Making an offering involves reciprocity with the universe, such as offering milk or honey to trees based on Celtic and Indian traditions.
• Donating time or money to organizations related to one's fears (e.g., housing or health) helps meet fear with service.
• The act of giving physiologically shifts the body from a state of contraction and fear to one of openness and generosity.

Meditation, Journaling, and Lemon Balm for Anxiety

leo · scorpio

The speaker advocates for daily meditation and the practice of "writing it down" to manage anxiety during intense astrological transits. The discussion highlights the calming effects of silence, citing Rick Rubin's experiences with meditation in creative work. The section concludes with an introduction to herbal remedies, specifically recommending lemon balm to counteract the fiery and heavy energies associated with Mars and Pluto.

• Consistent daily meditation (10–20 minutes) helps ground the body and mind during periods of high energy or "astrological anxiety."
• Rick Rubin is cited as an example of how meditation aids creative flow and spiritual connection for artists and entrepreneurs.
• Writing down fears and hopes ("brain dumping") helps offload burden from the nervous system; the speaker suggests using a "God box" to store these written concerns and revisit them later.
• Lemon balm (*Melissa officinalis*) is recommended as a primary herb for cooling heat, agitation, and nervous tension.
• Lemon balm is described as a "sour sedative" that aids digestion, communication, and sleep, and is safe for both adults and children.
• The herb is suggested to counterbalance the fiery energy of Mars in Leo and the heavy, dark energy of Pluto/Scorpio.

Skullcap, Chamomile, and Catnip for Nervous System Support

This window details the uses and preparation of three specific herbs: skullcap, chamomile, and catnip. The speaker distinguishes skullcap as a deep relaxant for high anxiety and exhaustion, contrasting it with the brightening effect of lemon balm. Chamomile is presented as a warming herb that helps regulate over-talkativeness and fosters an inner "mother" voice, while catnip is recommended for those who internalize tension until it explodes. The segment concludes with a closing reflection on Pluto's energy and a quote from poet David Whyte about the soul's necessary destruction of surface life.

• Skullcap is described as a nervous system relaxant that creates external quieting without sedation, making it suitable for daytime use.
• Skullcap is recommended for high anxiety, overwhelm, sleeplessness, and nervous system exhaustion, with dosing suggestions for tea (1 tsp) and tincture (2-4 dropperfuls).
• Chamomile (Matricaria chamomila) is characterized as a warming herb that increases courage and helps individuals who process emotions by talking excessively.
• Chamomile is linked to the "inner mother" archetype and is suggested for finding a reassuring internal voice during challenging times.
• Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is recommended for people who hold anxiety in the gut and internalize tension until it results in an explosive release.
• Catnip is noted as a gentle remedy for children and colic, and it can be blended with chamomile for those who oscillate between sharing and shutting down.
• Safety notes indicate that chamomile and catnip are safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding, whereas skullcap lacks sufficient data for these groups.
• The speaker closes by connecting the emotional upheaval to Pluto's transit, quoting David Whyte on the soul's destruction of surface life to create a deeper one.

Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

The creator concludes the episode by encouraging viewers to maintain daily practices such as meditation and herbal tea consumption until mid-October to stay open to upcoming transits. They emphasize the importance of keeping one's "container" ready for specific cosmic changes. The segment ends with a call to action for viewers to share their personal experiences and stories in the comments.

• Use tools like meditation, surrender, list making, and herbal teas to stay porous and curious.
• Maintain these daily practices for the next few weeks, specifically until mid-October.
• Ensure your internal "container" is ripe and ready for what is being asked of you.
• Viewers are invited to comment on their current practices and the changes they are observing.
• The creator signs off, looking forward to the next episode.